What do Green Woodpeckers
Eat?

This is the largest of the woodpeckers native to the UK and
easily recognisable because he’s green!

He has a yellow underbelly and a red cap, males also have a
little red moustache. He is a ground feeder, his beak is designed to hollow out
nesting spaces, not to tunnel for food.

Ants, ants, and more ants..

You are likely to see green woodpeckers down on the lawn on the
hunt for ants. They aren’t too picky either, they will eat ant eggs, larvae,
and adults.

In winter they will eat other small invertebrates when the ants
are harder to come by.

Pine seeds.

These are the seeds found inside pine cones. The woodpecker uses
his beak and barbed tongue to extract them from fallen pine cones. They are
very rich in nutrients and so great food for their well-being.

Fruit

If it is cold and there are no ants available, the green
woodpecker may be tempted by growing apples.

It is really difficult to encourage them into your garden unless
you have a supply of ants.

What Do Greater Spotted
Woodpeckers Eat?

The Greater Spotted Woodpecker

This is the middle-sized woodpecker and he is much easier to
please. He nests and feeds in trees, preferably dead or dying ones where the
bark is softer.

Wood-borer

A beetle whose larvae bores into timber causing untold damage.
The woodpecker uses his robust beak to reach in and dig them out. His tongue
can extend an extra 4cm beyond the tip of his beak to help catch the more
awkward ones.

Bark lice

Aphid sized soft-bellied grubs that are packed with nutrients.

In winter, when its harder to find insects, they will venture
more into gardens to find berries and nuts.

I use a variety of things to tempt them right up to my feeding
station and find they help themselves from the table and happily eat from the
hanging feeders.

Suet

Greater spotted woodpeckers have a particular fondness for fats,
whether they be in blocks, balls, or pellets. They are a high-energy food that
the birds can easily digest.

Peanuts

High in fat and calories

Sunflower seeds

They are a great source of nutrients and are oily to maintain
the condition of feathers

Tree sap

Not only a nice sugary treat but it also quenches the
woodpecker’s thirst.

Apples

If there are no grubs to be found, a hungry woodpecker will peck
into an apple on the lookout for insects.

What do Lesser Spotted
Woodpeckers Eat?

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (enjoying a bird feeder!)

These are the smallest variety but share a similar diet to their
greater spotted counterparts.

Insects and wood-boring larvae

Their diet consists mostly of these. Any small invertebrate with
a soft belly that inhabits trees.

Spiders

Occasionally they will eat a spider if there is nothing else to
be had

Lesser-spotted woodpeckers aren’t common visitors to the bird
table but when they do, they have 2 particular favourites.

Sunflower hearts

The whiteish interior of a sunflower seed that is packed with
calories and nutrition. These are important for the bird to store as energy for
the hard winter months.

About The Author

My name is Walter, I am a retired engineer based in the West Midlands.
The main devotion of my spare time is spent bird watching and gardening. I am very keen on watching the birds and I got my family to help make a website where I can share some of my hints, tips and tricks and share valuable information.
I really enjoy helping others and seeing how this website helps so many people, I really want to continue to make it grow and be successful.